About the Staff
John Segoria, M.S. Director, Disabled Student Services
John received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, and a minor in Sociocultural Anthropology from San Diego State University. After completing his bachelor’s degree, John was admitted into the Master of Science program in Rehabilitation Counseling at San Diego State University. Upon completion of his master’s degree in 1990, John was hired as the Coordinator of Disabled Student Services at California State University San Marcos. As the Director of Disabled Student Services, John believes that all students with disabilities should be given the opportunity to succeed academically and the chance to prove themselves as contributing members of society.
Kara Kornher, Psy.D., Psychologist & Learning Disabilities Specialist
Dr. Kornher was born and raised in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. She attended the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, where she recieved her BA in Psychology with a minor in Linguistics. She completed her junior year abroad at the University of Exeter in England. Dr. Kornher received her Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology) in Clinical Psychology from the School of Professional Psychology at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. She arrived in San Diego in 1993 to complete her predoctoral internship at Psychological and Counseling Services at UCSD. Prior to joining Disabled Student Services in 1996, Dr. Kornher completed a postdoctoral internship for the L.A. County Sheriff's Department and also practiced at Scripps Hospitals and Vista Balboa Crisis Center. She was awarded tenure at Cal State San Marcos in July, 2000. In addition to her primary role in Disabled Student Services, Dr. Kornher provides supervision for doctoral level psychology interns in Student Health and Counseling Services. She coordinates and supervises the psychological assessment portion of the Student Health and Counseling Services predoctoral internship program.
Michelle Saavedra, M.S., Disability Support Services Coordinator
Michelle received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Deaf Studies from California State University of Northridge (CSUN) in 1992. CSUN is known for their National Center on Deafness. She has been actively working with the deaf community for over twenty years. Michelle set up interpreting services for Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach preparing the company for the new Americans with Disabilities Act that was going into effect in 1990. Prior to graduation she worked for Goodwill Industries Vocational Training Pilot Program for the Deaf in Long Beach from 1991 until 1994. In 1994 Michelle re-located to North San Diego County to be near family and worked as a freelance Sign Language Interpreter in San Diego County. Michelle also taught American Sign Language classes at Palomar College. Michelle coordinated the employment placement services for Deaf Community Services for San Diego County job seekers who are deaf or hard-of-hearing from 1997-2002. In 2002 Michelle began working at San Diego State University as a Career Counselor for students with disabilities prior to her completion of her Master of Science program in Rehabilitation Counseling at San Diego State University. Michelle is currently in a Post Graduate Fellowship Program through San Diego State University in Leadership Training for professionals who work with Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing consumers. Michelle loves working with people with disabilities as a counselor and teaching self-advocacy to her consumers to develop the independence and life skills needed for success.
Diana Soderbeck, Office Manager
I was born in Corpus Christi, Texas but have lived in California since I was 5. I have lived in San Marcos since 1976, most of the time. I have watched San Marcos and the CSUSM grow so much and enjoyed every minute of it. My career life has been built around serving the public. From working for my parents delivering auto parts, to cosmetology, to administrative assistant in a Casino, Physical Therapy corportation and where I am today. My experience is as diverse as the community within the campus and it serves me well when it comes to going beyond "getting along with people" to being more more available. Having one son in college and one in middle school helps me to be empathetic to the trials and tribulations of the students today. Working in such a caring and encourageing environment as this university makes me want to give as much as possible back to the students.
Cathy Gremett, Testing Scheduler
Cathy was born and raised in San Marcos. She graduated from both San Marcos High School and Palomar College. As a teenager, she enjoyed riding motorcycles on the chicken ranch where CSUSM now stands. She is now working towards a Anthropology degree and enjoys working with students in pursuit of their degree at Cal State University. She considers herself a professional student, and has a love to learn and teach history to those who are interested. Cathy has been a part of CSUSM for 10 years and has recently graduated from the CSUSM Meeting and Event Planning Program.
